Ballast water treatment systems including related appratus and methods

ABSTRACT

Ballast water treatment apparatus and methods for preventing foreign aquatic invasive species form entering marine ecological zones by translocation in ship&#39;s ballast water. The apparatus includes a housing, a filter member, and UV water treatment chambers. Methods include use of a ship&#39;s fire hydrant system or ballast water discharge port for moving ballast water from the ship&#39;s ballast tanks into the apparatus for filtration and treatment. In-port service vessels and barges as well as dock-side service vehicles are equipped with the various treatment and filtration apparatus to provided in-port or dock-side ballast water treatment services. Related methods are also provided.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 12/080,246 filed Mar. 31, 2008 which is continuation-in-part ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/046,554 filed Jan. 29, 2005, nowU.S. Pat No. 7,351,336, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/610,328 filed Jun. 28, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No.7,005,074, which claimed the benefit of priority from U.S. ProvisionalApplication Ser. No. 60/392,388 filed Jun. 29, 2002. This applicationalso includes subject matter from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No.60/840,529 filed Aug. 26, 2006. All of the above disclosures are hereinincorporated by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates in general to water treatment and, in particular,to ballast water treatment for ships. More specifically, but withoutrestriction to the particular embodiments hereinafter described inaccordance with the best mode of practice, this invention relates toin-port water treatment systems directed to filtering ballast water anddeactivating biological material to prevent translocation of aquaticinvasive species.

2. General Discussion and Related Art

Over the past 25 years, the introduction of foreign aquatic invasivespecies (AIS) into ports and waterways has increased significantlythroughout the globe. Ships from around the world pump 40,000 gallons offoreign ballast water into U.S. waterways every minute.

This discharged ballast water contains countless species of foreignmarine life including fish, shellfish, plants, and microorganisms. Morethan 200 AIS are now established in the San Francisco Bay and Deltaareas in California and 150 AIS in the Great Lakes of North Americaalone.

Many of these foreign AIS are disrupting the local marine ecosystems.Invading organisms are steadily replacing native species by competitionor predation. Viruses and bacteria carried in ships ballast water havethe potential to cause the destruction of native species as well ascreate human health problems.

The Zebra Mussel, Chinese Mitten Crab, Sea Lamprey, and PurpleLoosestrife are just some of the AIS causing serious and costly problemsglobally by clogging canals and water intake and/or outlet systems.Billions of dollars have been spent on problems arising from theseorganisms. The primary source comes from the discharge of ships' ballastwater, taken in as ballast in one port then discharged into anotherport.

Globally, there are seven major marine ecological zones, each havingdistinct marine species which have evolved in those zones over manymillennia. In recent years, however, there has been significantdisplacement of indigenous species from one zone to other zones aroundthe globe. Today, no country has escaped from the widespread impact ofaquatic invasive species arriving from other marine environments. Inmany instances, these translocated species have prospered in their newlyfound environment with damaging economic and ecological consequences.According to recent studies conducted by marine scientists, the mostsignificant contributing factor for these undesired re-locations is thedischarge of ballast water contained in vessels of commerce. Typically,an ocean going vessel takes sea water into its ballast tanks prior todeparting its port of origin to stabilize the vessel during its voyage.This ballast water from the home port may then be discharged at ports ofcall in other ecological locations. Currently at least 162non-indigenous aquatic species have colonized the Great Lakes alone.Thus far, the economically most significant aquatic invader to arrive inthe Great Lakes system is the zebra mussel. A 1988 import from the BlackSea, the zebra mussel has become an economic and ecological disaster inthis region. In addition to ecologically contaminating the Great Lakes,the zebra mussel is now spreading rapidly to other waters within theUnited States in spite of massive efforts and methodology deployed tocontrol this invasive species. For all foreign aquatic species invadingUnited States waters, the U.S. Coast Guard estimates the collectivedomestic economic impact of these undesired AIS arrivals at more than$7.3 billion per year.

The world's nations and different states of the United States areresponding to this threat by promoting treaties and state legislationdirected to setting standards for halting the spread of aquatic invasivespecies. On the international front, the International MaritimeOrganization (IMO) is developing an IMO Convention relating to ballastwater management requirements. This Convention is expected to be signedwithin a few years then ratified by national legislative bodies andentered into force as domestic law in several of the world's nations. Itis currently anticipated that after the year 2008, all internationaltrading vessels using seawater as ships ballast will fall under the IMOConvention. Royal Haskoning Report, Global Market Analysis of BallastWater Treatment Technology, Oct. 24, 2001, Reference No.42810/001R/HSC/SKO.

On the U.S. domestic front, the states of Washington and California areleading state legislative development efforts directed to regulating thedischarge of ballast water into their respective state ports. Theseregulations are technical in nature and will provide specific standardsrelative to the discharge of particulate matter and active biologicalorganisms.

Prior to current state legislative activities and collectiveinternational concern, the shipping industry had shown an acceptabledegree of compliance to pre-existing standards. However AIS are stillbeing introduced into the world's ports and waterways. Thus priorstandards and technical measures implemented over the past years haveproven inadequate. Currently, no known economically viable system hasbeen found to prevent these organisms from entering or leaving ships'ballast water tanks.

Some of the prior methods and devices that have been employed in anattempt to control the AIS problem include (1) the mid-ocean ballastwater exchange method, (2) ozone and nitrogen systems, (3) cyclonesystems, (4) heat systems, and (5) use of biocides. These prior methodsand systems are briefly described in further detail immediately hereinbelow.

Mid-ocean Ballast Water Exchange: The U.S. Congress has passedlegislation requiring ships carrying ballast water from foreign ports toexchange this point-of-origin ballast water with mid-ocean sea waterbefore entering the Great Lakes. This method has not proven effective inkilling freshwater organisms. Very small quantities of survivors, oneper several thousand, were found sufficient to start an invasion.

Ozone and Nitrogen Systems: These gases, when introduced to the ship'sballast water, were found to be effective in controlling bacteria andother small organisms. However, they have proven to be less effective atcontrolling adult crustaceans and fish. Other disadvantages of thesesystems include those next enumerated. (1) Problems of uniformity inmixing the gases with the ballast water. Several days are required tokill the organisms. Ballast water exchange sometimes takes place withinseveral hours. (2) Unable to treat the organisms in the sediments whichare disturbed during ballasting. (3) Requires modification to the shipand significant space on board for system installation. (4) High cost.

Cyclone Systems: Water drawn into the system for ballasting is spun toremove organisms. The filtered water is allowed to flow into the ballasttanks and the removed organisms and unfiltered water returned to itssource. These types of systems are capable of removing sediments, largeparticles, and some organisms. The disadvantages of these systemsinclude the following. (1) Centrifugation does not work effectively withorganisms that have densities close to that of water. (2) The system isprone to clogging and must be back flushed to clean. (3) An inability totreat or remove organisms that passed through the system. Once in theballast tanks, these organisms may continue to grow and multiply. (4)Requires modification to the ship and significant space on board forsystem installation. (5) High cost.

Heat Systems: Heat energy high enough to kill organisms is added to theballast water. Disadvantages of these systems are next briefly listed.(1) Huge quantity of energy is required to raise the temperature highenough to kill organisms. The energy required to kill bacteria andviruses make this system impractical for ballast water treatment. (2)Problems of uniformity in mixing the heated water with the ballastwater, requiring many hours to kill the organisms. Ballast waterexchange may have to take place within several hours. (3) Enough energyto run the system may not be available from the ship's power system. (4)High cost to install and operate.

Use of Biocides: Biocides such as vitamin K and chlorine are effectiveat killing AIS when added to the ballast water. Disadvantages of thesesystems include the following. (1) Problems of uniformity in mixing thebiocide with the ballast water, requiring many hours to kill theorganisms. Ballast water exchange may have to take place within severalhours. (2) Some bacteria and viruses may not be killed by the biocidesused. (3) Treated ballast water may be toxic to the environment whendischarged.

In addition to the above technical limitations and cost considerations,none of the known prior art ballast water treatment systems will meetthe newly emerging regulatory standards. Therefore it is desired toprovide a cost effective, technically efficient ballast water treatmentsystem that is acceptable by the marine shipping industry and thatsatisfies the emerging more stringent regulatory standards.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to improve ballastwater treatment systems in a cost effective and technically efficientmanner that also meets the anticipated future standards of currentlydeveloping legislative mandates.

Another object of this invention is to reduce the negative impactaquatic invasive species have on the marine environment.

It is a further object of the present invention to apply filteringmethods to ballast water to aid in the removal of aquatic invasivespecies from ballast water before the ballast water is returned to themarine environment.

Still another object of the present invention is to apply UV treatmentmethods to ballast water to aid in the elimination of aquatic invasivespecies from ballast water before the ballast water is returned to themarine environment.

It is still a further object of the present invention to utilize theexisting fire hydrant systems on board ship as the pumping system forballast water transfer to treatment apparatus to thereby avoid the needfor additional on-board pumping equipment for ballast water treatmentpurposes.

Yet another object of the present invention is to utilize the existingballast water discharge systems on board ship as the pumping system forballast water transfer to treatment apparatus to thereby avoid the needfor additional on-board pumping equipment for ballast water treatmentpurposes.

An additional object of the present invention is to enable the use ofportable on ship ballast water filter systems with ballast watersupplied from the ship's fire hydrant system.

Still yet another object of this invention is to shift the burden ofballast water filtration operations from the ship owner to an in-portservice provider with local knowledge.

Yet a further object of the present invention is to enable the use ofdock-side ballast water filter systems with ballast water supplied fromthe ship's fire hydrant system.

It is yet an additional and further object of the present invention toenable the use of ballast water filter systems on in-port servicevessels that utilize ballast water supplied from the ship's fire hydrantsystem.

Still another object of the present invention is to enable the use ofdock-side ballast water filter systems with ballast water supplied fromthe ship's existing ballast water discharge system.

And yet still a further object of the present invention is to enable theuse of ballast water filter systems on in-port service barges thatutilize ballast water supplied from the ship's existing ballast waterdischarge system.

These and many other objects and advantages are attained in accordancewith the present invention wherein there is provided a dock-side servicevehicle for treating discharged ballast water from a ship in port. Inone embodiment, this vehicle includes (1) a water treatment processingplatform accessible to a respective ship docked in port; (2) a housingtank positioned within said water treatment processing platform, saidhousing tank having at least one inlet port and one discharge port, saidat least one inlet port being adapted to receive ballast water from aballast discharge port of said respective ship by connecting a hosebetween the ballast discharge port on said respective ship and said atleast one inlet port of said housing tank; (3) a filter positionedwithin said housing tank, said filter employed to filter particulatematter from said ballast water received from said respective ship'sballast discharge port; and (4)a source of electromagnetic radiationmaintained within said housing tank for irradiating said ballast waterto thereby deactivate biological organisms contained therein.

According to another aspect of this invention, there is provided amethod of treating discharged ballast water from a ship using an in-portservice barge. In one particular embodiment this method includes thesteps of providing a ballast water treatment apparatus on board saidservice barge; positioning said service barge adjacent a respective shiprequiring ballast water treatment; and directing ballast water from aballast tank of said respective ship into said ballast water treatmentapparatus on board said service barge to thereby treat said respectiveship's ballast water before discharging said ship's ballast water.

This invention is further directed to an in-port service barge fortreating discharged ballast water from a ship. In one preferredembodiment the barge includes (1) a ballast water treatment apparatus onboard said service barge, said apparatus including an inlet port, adischarge port, means for filtering ballast water, and means fordirecting UV energy at said ballast water; (2) a hoisting system forpositioning a supply hose between a ballast water discharge port of theship and said inlet port of said ballast water treatment apparatus.

According to yet another aspect of this invention, there is furtherprovided a dock-side service vehicle for treating discharged ballastwater from a ship in port. This vehicle may advantageously include (1) awater treatment processing platform accessible to a respective shipdocked in port; (2) a housing tank positioned within said watertreatment processing platform, said housing tank having at least oneinlet port and one discharge port, said at least one inlet port beingadapted to receive ballast water from a ballast discharge port of saidrespective ship by connecting a hose between the ballast discharge porton said respective ship and said at least one inlet port of said housingtank; (3) a filter positioned within said housing tank, said filteremployed to filter particulate matter from said ballast water receivedfrom said respective ship's ballast discharge port; (4) a source ofelectromagnetic radiation maintained within said housing tank forirradiating said ballast water to thereby deactivate biologicalorganisms contained therein; and (5) an articulating arm for positioningsaid hose a hose between the ballast discharge port on said respectiveship and said at least one inlet port of said housing tank.

In accordance with yet a further aspect hereof, there is also provided aballast water filtration and treatment system. In one preferredembodiment thereof, this system may include (1) an inlet reservoirhaving an inlet port; (2) a main tank member fluidly connected to saidinlet reservoir, said main tank member having filter means positioned inan upper portion thereof; (3) a side channel tank in fluid communicationwith said main tank member; (4) a side fill tank in fluid communicationwith said side channel tank; and (5) a UV containment chamber in fluidcommunication with said side fill tank, said UV containment chamberincluding a source of UV light directed into filtered ballast watercontained in the chamber.

According to still an addition aspect hereof, there is further provideda ballast water filtration and treatment system alternatively including(1) an upper flow chamber for receiving ballast water and including aplurality of filter bag compartments, each filter bag compartmentincluding valve means to fluidly isolate a respective filter bagcompartment from ballast water maintained with in said upper flowchamber; (2) a filter bag associated with each of said of filter bagcompartments; (3) a lower tank chamber in fluid communication with saidupper flow chamber, each of said filter bags depending downwardly from arespective filter bag compartment into said lower tank chamber; and (4)at least one UV tank fluidly connected to said lower tank chamberimplemented so that ballast water filtered through said filter bags isdirected into said least one UV tank for further treatment. In thissystem, said at least one UV tank fluidly may be positioned below saidlower tank chamber so that filtered ballast in said lower tank chamberis moved by gravity to flow from said lower tank chamber into said atleast one UV tank. Alternatively, the system may include a pump to movefiltered ballast in said lower tank chamber into said at least one UVtank.

In accordance with a further aspect hereof, this invention is direct toan apparatus for connecting a hose to a ballast water discharge portlocated in the hull of a ship. The apparatus may advantageously includea ring member sized to mate with the ballast water discharge port in theship; at least two hook arms positioned around the circumference of saidring member; and means for making a water-tight seal between said ringmember and the hull of the ship. In an alternative embodiment thereof,the apparatus a ring member including a nipple extension sized to matewith the ballast water discharge port in the ship; and means for makinga water-tight seal between said ring member and the hull of the ship. Inthis embodiment the ring member of the apparatus may include at leastone electro-magnet associated therewith so that when said electro-magnetis activated a magnetic holding force is applied between said ringmember and the hull of the ship.

According to still yet another aspect hereof, there is further provideda method of retro-fitting a ballast water discharge port located in thehull of a ship to receive a hose connection. One embodiment of thismethod includes the steps of obtaining measurements relating to the sizeof a respective ballast water discharge port; providing a flat annularring sized to fit said respective ballast water discharge port; weldingsaid flat annular ring into said respective ballast water discharge portto thereby form a lip onto which a hose connector may be secured.

Still according to yet additional aspects of this invention there isprovided a UV tank system for use in treating ballast water. This tanksystem may advantageously include a tank member having an inlet port anda discharge port; at least one UV lamp positioned within said tankmember between said inlet port and discharge port; and an electroniccircuit operatively connected to said at least one UV lamp to controloperation thereof. The electronic circuit may further include aprocessor, a controller, and a memory. And the tank system may furtherinclude means for wiping clean said at least one UV lamp after apredetermined amount of use.

Other aspects of the present invention are further directed to aportable deck apparatus for treating ballast water discharged from thefire hydrant system of a ship. Different embodiments of the apparatusare provided.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provideda method of distributing portable water treatment devices around thedeck of a ship to process ballast water discharged from the fire hydrantsystem of the ship.

In accordance with another aspect of this invention, there is alsoprovided a built-in water treatment assembly for processing ballastwater discharged from the fire hydrant system of a ship. This assemblyis manufactured and installed during the ship building process ratherthan adapted as a retro-fit device or intended for use on pre-existingships. There also provided methods related to this built-in watertreatment aspects of the present invention.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention there isfurther provided a marine service vessel for treating discharged ballastwater from a ship. Related methods include a method of treatingdischarged ballast water from a ship using the in-port marine servicevessel and methods of deriving financial revenue for services providedfor treating discharged ballast water from a ship using the in-portservice vessel of the present invention.

In accordance with still yet another aspect of this invention, theinventors hereof have also provided a dock-side service vehicle fortreating discharged ballast water from a ship in port. Related methodsinclude a method of treating discharged ballast water from a ship usingthe dock-side service vehicle and methods of deriving financial revenuefor services provided for treating discharged ballast water from a shipusing the dock-side service vehicle as out-fitted according to theteachings of the present disclosure.

In addition to the above, the present invention further provides methodsfor processing, filtering, or treating ballast water discharged from aship, and related methods directed to using the fire hydrant system of aship to process, filter, or treat ballast water before directing theballast water into an open water environment to thereby protect theenvironment form undesired aquatic invasive species.

More particularly, the present invention is directed to a portable deckapparatus for treating ballast water discharged from the fire hydrantsystem of a ship. This apparatus includes (1) a housing having at leastone inlet port and one discharge port, the at least one inlet port beingadapted to receive ballast water from the fire hydrant system of a ship,(2) a filter positioned within the housing, the filter employed tofilter particulate matter from the ballast water received from the firehydrant system, and (3) a source of electromagnetic radiation maintainedwithin the housing for irradiating the ballast water to therebydeactivate biological organisms contained therein.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided amethod of distributing portable water treatment devices around the deckof a ship to process ballast water discharged from the fire hydrantsystem of the ship, each of the water treatment devices having a knownprocessing rate. This method includes the steps of (1) determining thenumber and location of fire hydrant outlets on the deck of a ship, (2)ascertaining the flow rate of each of the located fire hydrant outlets,(3) determining an amount of the ship's ballast water requiringtreatment, (4) setting a maximum duration of time during which thedetermined amount of ballast water requiring treatment is to beprocessed, (5) determining the number of water treatment devicesnecessary to process the determined amount of ballast water within themaximum duration of time, and (6) distributing the determined number ofwater treatment devices around the deck of the ship proximate selectedfire hydrant outlets to direct ballast water from the fire hydrantoutlets into respective water treatment devices for processing.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, there isfurther provided a marine service vessel for treating discharged ballastwater from a ship. This vessel includes a water treatment processingarea accessible to a respective ship docked in port; a housing tankpositioned within the water treatment processing area, the housing tankhaving at least one inlet port and one discharge port, the at least oneinlet port being adapted to receive ballast water from the fire hydrantsystem of the respective ship by connecting a fire hose between a firehydrant on the respective ship and the at least one inlet port of thehousing tank; a filter positioned within the housing tank, the filteremployed to filter particulate matter from the ballast water receivedfrom the respective ship's fire hydrant system; and a source ofelectromagnetic radiation maintained within the housing tank forirradiating the ballast water to thereby deactivate biological organismscontained therein.

According to certain methods of the present invention associated withthe service vessel aspect thereof, there is further provided a method oftreating discharged ballast water from a ship using an in-port servicevessel. This method includes the steps of (1) providing a ballast watertreatment apparatus on board the service vessel, (2) positioning theservice vessel adjacent a respective ship requiring ballast watertreatment, (3) and directing ballast water from a ballast tank of therespective ship into the ballast water treatment apparatus on board theservice vessel to thereby treat the respective ship's ballast waterbefore discharging the ship's ballast water. In this method, therespective ship's ballast water is directed from the ballast tankthrough the ship's fire hydrant system and into the ballast watertreatment apparatus on board the service vessel. The method may includethe further step of connecting at least one fire hose between a firehydrant outlet on a deck of the respective ship and an inlet portprovided on the ballast water treatment apparatus on board the servicevessel.

According to the business method aspects of the present invention, thereis provided a method of deriving financial revenue for services providedfor treating discharged ballast water from a ship using an in-portservice vessel. This method includes the steps of positioning theservice vessel adjacent a respective ship requiring ballast watertreatment; directing ballast water from a ballast tank of a respectiveship into a ballast water treatment apparatus maintained on board theservice vessel to thereby treat the respective ship's ballast waterbefore discharging the ship's ballast water into the environment;determining an amount of time required to treat the respective ship'sballast water; and calculating a water treatment service fee based onthe amount of time required to treat the respective ship's ballastwater.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, there isfurther provided another method of deriving financial revenue forservices provided for treating discharged ballast water from a shipusing an in-port service vessel. This method includes the steps ofpositioning the service vessel adjacent a respective ship requiringballast water treatment; directing ballast water from a ballast tank ofa respective ship into a ballast water treatment apparatus maintained onboard the service vessel to thereby treat the respective ship's ballastwater before discharging the ship's ballast water into the environment;determining a total volume of treated ballast water processed from therespective ship's ballast water tanks; and calculating a water treatmentservice fee based on the total volume of treated ballast water.

According to still yet another aspect of the present invention, there isalso provided a dock-side service vehicle for treating dischargedballast water from a ship in port. This vehicle may advantageouslyinclude a water treatment processing platform accessible to a respectiveship docked in port; a housing tank positioned within the watertreatment processing platform, the housing tank having at least oneinlet port and one discharge port, the at least one inlet port beingadapted to receive ballast water from the fire hydrant system of therespective ship by connecting a fire hose between a fire hydrant on therespective ship and the at least one inlet port of the housing tank; afilter positioned within the housing tank, the filter employed to filterparticulate matter from the ballast water received from the respectiveship's fire hydrant system; and a source of electromagnetic radiationmaintained within the housing tank for irradiating the ballast water tothereby deactivate biological organisms contained therein.

A method of treating discharged ballast water from a ship using adock-side service vehicle is also provided. This method includes thesteps of providing a ballast water treatment apparatus on the dock-sideservice vehicle; positioning the service vehicle adjacent a respectiveship requiring ballast water treatment; and directing ballast water froma ballast tank of the respective ship into the ballast water treatmentapparatus on the dock-side service vehicle to thereby treat therespective ship's ballast water before discharging the ship's ballastwater into an open water environment. In this method, the respectiveship's ballast water may be directed from the ballast tank through theship's fire hydrant system and into the ballast water treatmentapparatus on the dock-side service vehicle. The method may furtherinclude the further step of connecting at least one fire hose between afire hydrant outlet on a deck of the respective ship and an inlet portprovided on the ballast water treatment apparatus on the dock-sideservice vehicle.

There is still also provided a method of deriving financial revenue forservices provided for treating discharged ballast water from a shipusing a dock-side service vehicle. This method includes the steps of (1)positioning the dock-side service vehicle adjacent a respective shiprequiring ballast water treatment, (2) directing ballast water from aballast tank of a respective ship into a ballast water treatmentapparatus maintained on the dock-side service vehicle to thereby treatthe respective ship's ballast water before discharging the ship'sballast water into an open environment, (3) determining an amount oftime required to treat the respective ship's ballast water, and (4)calculating a water treatment service fee based on the amount of timerequired to treat the respective ship's ballast water.

There is also provided another method of deriving financial revenue forservices provided for treating discharged ballast water from a shipusing a dock-side service vehicle. This method includes the steps of (1)positioning the dock-side service vehicle adjacent a respective shiprequiring ballast water treatment, (2) directing ballast water from aballast tank of a respective ship into a ballast water treatmentapparatus maintained on the dock-side service vehicle to thereby treatthe respective ship's ballast water before discharging the ship'sballast water into an open environment, (3) determining a total volumeof treated ballast water processed from the respective ship's ballastwater tanks, and (4) calculating a water treatment service fee based onthe total volume of treated ballast water.

According to yet a further aspect of this invention there is alsoprovided a method of processing ballast water discharged from a ship.This method includes the steps of accessing ballast water requiringtreatment from a ship's ballast tank through a fire hydrant system ofthe ship, directing the ballast water from the fire hydrant systemthrough a filter to thereby remove undesired particulate matter from theballast water, and directing the filtered ballast water into an openwater environment. This method may further include the step of directingelectromagnetic radiation at the ballast water before directing thefiltered ballast water into the open water environment to therebydeactivate biological organisms contained within ballast water.

There is yet still provided a method of using the fire hydrant system ofa ship to treat ballast water. This method includes the steps ofaccessing ballast water requiring treatment from a ship's ballast tankthrough a fire hydrant located on a deck of the ship, directing theballast water from the fire hydrant through a filter to thereby removeundesired particulate matter from the ballast water, and directing thefiltered ballast water into an open water environment. This method mayinclude the further step of directing electromagnetic radiation at theballast water before directing the filtered ballast water into the openwater environment to thereby deactivate biological organisms containedwithin ballast water.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

Further objects of the present invention together with additionalfeatures contributing thereto and advantages accruing therefrom will beapparent from the following description of preferred embodiments of theinvention which are shown in the accompanying drawing with likereference numerals indicating like components throughout, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a one embodiment of a ballast watertreatment apparatus according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 including a cut-away section toillustrate the interior of a more particular embodiment of the ballastwater treatment apparatus according to this invention;

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view showing a filter bag assembly asemployed in conjunction with different embodiments of the presentinvention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective cut-away view showing a filter frame supportstructure according to one aspect of this invention and furtherillustrating removal of the filter bag assembly of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged detailed perspective view of the filter framesupport structure and bag assembly illustrated in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective cut-away view of another embodiment of theballast water treatment apparatus according to the present invention;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged detailed perspective view of a water treatmenttank and related piping as utilized in conjunction with the embodimentof the present invention illustrated in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a typified diagrammatic cross-sectional representation of aship's ballast tank and related mechanical piping as adapted for usewith the ballast water treatment apparatus according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a container ship docked port-side forunloading that is also being serviced by a dock-side service vehicleaccording to the ballast water treatment aspects of the presentinvention and alternate methods relating thereto;

FIG. 10 is a deck plan of the container ship illustrated in FIG. 9showing the location of the ship's second deck fire hydrants;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the container ship illustrated inFIG. 9 showing the ballast tank area relative to cargo space;

FIG. 12 is perspective view along the second deck of a typical containership illustrating the placement of ballast water treatment apparatusaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a tanker docked port-side for loadingor unloading that is also being serviced by an in-port service vesselaccording to the ballast water treatment aspects of the presentinvention and additional methods relating thereto;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a passenger cruse ship docked port-sidefor loading or unloading;

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the tanker shown in FIG. 13illustrating the ballast tank area relative to cargo space;

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of an intermediate class Great Lakesbulk vessel showing the ballast tank area relative to cargo space;

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of a Panamax size oil bulk ore carrierrepresenting the ballast tank area relative to cargo space;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the presentinvention illustrating the use thereof as positioned on the side of atypical container ship;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a half-face housing member that may beemployed in combination with the ballast water treatment apparatusillustrated in FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of the ballastwater treatment apparatus according to the present invention;

FIG. 21 is an exploded view of the ballast water treatment apparatusillustrated in FIG. 20 including break-away sections to show interiorelements of principal components of the apparatus;

FIG. 22 is a detailed partial plan view of the UV lamp assembly utilizedin conjunction with the ballast water treatment apparatus shown in FIG.20 illustrating build-up of UV-irradiated biological material on thelamp assembly;

FIG. 23 is a view similar to FIG. 22 showing a tube wiper system andactuator assembly cleaning the build-up of UV-irradiated biologicalmaterial on the lamp assembly according to another aspect of the presentinvention;

FIG. 24 is a view similar to FIG. 23 showing the lamp assembly in afully cleaned or wiped condition after full activation of the tube wipersystem;

FIG. 25 is a detailed isolated elevation view of a wiper plate employedin the tube wiper system illustrated in FIGS. 22-24;

FIG. 26 is a perspective schematic representation including detailcut-way views of a large volume through-put filtration system employingseveral filter modules and UV irradiation according to alternateembodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 27A is a schematic end-view elevation diagram of a filter bagassembly positioned in the upper main tank of the system represented inFIG. 26;

FIG. 27B is a schematic side-view elevation diagram of the filter bagassembly of FIG. 27A;

FIG. 28 is a schematic side-view elevation diagram of a lower portion ofthe main tank of FIG. 26 further illustrating an associated fill tank ofthe present invention;

FIG. 29 is a perspective view of a container ship docked port-side forunloading that is being serviced by a dock-side service vehicleaccording to an alternate ballast water treatment aspect of the presentinvention utilizing the ballast water discharge port of the ship;

FIG. 30 is a perspective view of a tanker docked port-side for loadingor unloading that is being serviced by an in-port service bargeaccording to aspects of the present invention that utilize the ballastwater discharge port;

FIG. 31A is a perspective view of a connector ring assembly according toone aspect of the present invention employed to couple a discharge hoseto the ballast water discharge port of a ship;

FIG. 31B is a perspective view of an alternate connector ring assemblyaccording to the present invention employed to couple the discharge hoseto the ballast water discharge port of a ship;

FIG. 32A is a cut-away side elevation view of a typical ballast waterdischarge port;

FIG. 32B is a plan view of an annular insert or retainer ring used toretro-fit the typical ballast water discharge port according to oneaspect of the present invention;

FIG. 32C is a cut-away side elevation view of a ballast water dischargeport after the annular insert ring of FIG. 32B has been welded thereinaccording to certain aspects of this invention;

FIG. 32D is cut-away side elevation view of the ballast water dischargeport of FIG. 32C including the connector ring assembly of FIG. 31A;

FIG. 33 is a cut-away section view of the connector ring assembly ofFIG. 31A shown locked into position in the discharge port of a ship toillustrate certain detail mechanical aspects thereof;

FIG. 34 is a side elevation schematic view of an alternate large volumethrough-put ballast water treatment system employing several filtermodules and UV irradiation according to additional embodiments of thepresent invention;

FIG. 35 is a top view of the large volume through-put treatment systemof FIG. 34;

FIG. 36 is a perspective view of a filter bag used in the system of FIG.34;

FIG. 37 is an enlarged detailed perspective view and block diagram of aUV irradiation water treatment tank system and related piping asutilized in conjunction with various embodiments of the presentinvention;

FIG. 38 is a perspective view of the container ship and dock-sideservice vehicle of FIG. 29 further illustrating use of an articulatingarm for positioning and maintaining the discharge hose in cooperativeengagement with the ship;

FIG. 39 is a perspective view of the tanker and in-port service barge ofFIG. 30 further illustrating use of a hoisting derrick system forpositioning and maintaining the discharge hose in cooperative engagementwith the ship;

FIG. 40 is a logic flow chart illustrating one method according to thepresent invention as employed with low pressure UV lamps; and

FIG. 41 is another logic flow chart illustrating one method according tothe present invention as employed with medium pressure UV lamps.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference to FIG. 1, there is shown a ballast water treatmentapparatus or device 102 according to the present invention. The ballastwater treatment apparatus 102 includes a tank housing 104 asillustrated. The housing 104 includes an inlet port 106 having a gallonmetered device as shown. The housing 104 further includes a dischargeport 108. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the housing member104 is further provided with a discharge hose 110 mounted thereon by useof hook brackets 112. During use of the ballast water treatmentapparatus 102 as described in further detail below, the discharge hose110 is connected to the discharge port 108. With continuing reference toFIG. 1, there is further shown transport wheels 114 integrally arrangedwith the housing member 104 to thereby provide mobility during use ofthe apparatus on a ship's deck. As also shown in FIG. 1, the housingmember 104 is provided with a filter apparatus which is discussed infurther detail in connection with FIGS. 2-5.

With reference now to FIG. 2, there is shown the filter apparatus 116including a filter bag 118, support rods 120, and a support frame 122.The support frame 122 is positioned on a first platform 124 asillustrated. The first platform 124 divides the interior housing 124into an upper filter chamber 125 and a lower treatment chamber.According to this embodiment of the present invention, there is alsoprovided a second platform 126 positioned below the first platform 124and above the bottom 128 of the housing 104. The first platform 124fluidly isolates the upper filter chamber from the lower chambers. Thefirst platform 124 includes a first flow aperture 130 which allowsfiltered water to pass from the upper chamber into a first lower flowchannel formed between the first platform member 124 and the secondplatform member 126. As further illustrated in FIG. 2, the secondplatform member 126 includes a flow aperture 132 allowing fluid flowfrom the first treatment channel into the second treatment channelformed between the second platform 126 and the tank bottom 128. Asfurther indicated by the arrows in FIG. 2 representing the direction offlow of ballast water through the ballast water treatment apparatus 102,the filtered water exits the housing 104 through a third flow aperture134. As illustrated, water flow is through the aperture 134 in the tankbottom 128 and then through the discharge port 108.

As discussed above in conjunction with FIG. 1, during use of the device102, the discharge hose 110 is connected to the discharge elbow 108 todirect filtered and treated water over the side of the ship as furtherdiscussed in detail below. As further illustrated in FIG. 2, each of thelower flow chambers includes at least one ultraviolet (UV) lamp 136which is secured to either side of the housing 104 by UV lamp sockets138. Each of the individual UV lamps 136 is provided with an electricalfeedback connection 140 that connects into an electrical control box 132as illustrated. The electrical control box 132 further includes anelectrical power supply 134 that provides power to the UV lamps 136.Electrical power is provided to the control box 132 by an electricalconnection 146 that connects to the ship's power supply. During use ofthe ballast water treatment apparatus 102, the control box 142 includesan hour meter to monitor and record UV bulb usage time. FIG. 2illustrates one UV lamp in each of the lower treatment chambers. Itwould be readily understood by those of skill in the art, however, thata greater number of UV bulbs may be situated within these treatmentchambers to provide additional electromagnetic UV energy into thechamber. Thus during the operation of the ballast water treatmentapparatus 102, after the ballast water has passed through the filter bag118, it is directed by gravity flow into the lower UV treatment chamberswherein electrical energy is applied to the UV bulbs and UV energy isdirected in all directions into the flowing filtered water.

The UV energy is selected to be of sufficient power so that anymicro-organisms or other biological organisms passing through thefilter-bag 118 will be deactivated by the application of the UV energy.As used herein, “deactivation” means rendering any harmful or undesiredbiological organisms inactive in a manner that either kills theorganisms, renders them unable to reproduce, or otherwise prevents themfrom causing harm to the open water environment into which the ballastwater is discharged. The UV lamps utilized in one specific embodimentpreferably number 8 in each chamber and are preferably 2000 watts (2 KW)with an operating voltage of 1,454 volts AC running at 1.35 amps. Thusin this embodiment of the present invention, UV radiation is principallyemployed to deactivate any biological organisms contained within theballast water.

As further illustrated in FIG. 2, the ballast treatment apparatus 102may be provided with two inlet ports 106 each having a respective gallonmeter. In this alternate embodiment of the present invention, two supplyhoses may be utilized from the ship's fire hydrant system to double theinput flow into the apparatus 102 thereby decreasing the time requiredto filter and treat the ship's ballast water according to the variousmethods of the present invention discussed below in further detail.

With reference now to FIG. 3, there is shown a perspective top view ofthe ballast water treatment apparatus 102 according to the presentinvention. FIG. 3 also shows a top view of the filter apparatus 116including filter bag 118 and support rods 120. As further shown in FIG.3, the filter bag 118 is folded upwardly within the filter bag itself sothat the bottom of the filter bag is situated some distance below thetop edge of the filter bag 118. As further shown, the bottom of thefilter bag 118 is provided with a change-filter indicator strip 148. Inthis manner, during use of the device when particulate matter isfiltered from ballast water, the material forming the filter bag 118will eventually collect an external layer of filtered particulatematter. As this layer of filtered particulate matter increases inthickness, the change-filter indicator strip 148 will eventually becomefully covered by such filtered particulate matter. When this occurs,this is an indication that the filter bag 118 should be changed.

FIG. 4 illustrates the process for changing the filter bag 118. Asillustrated in FIG. 4, one or two crew members may grasp the supportrods 120 and lift the filter bag 116 from the housing member 104. Asfurther shown in FIG. 4, when filter bag 118 is removed from the housingmember 104, the support frame 122 remains within the housing 104. Thepreferred shape of the support frame 122 is the A-frame style indicatedin FIG. 4. In this manner, the support frame 122 provides the necessaryelevation so that the end of the filtered bag and the change-filterindicator strip 148, FIG. 3, is situated at a desired height within thehousing 104 so that it is substantially always submerged under ballastwater during the filtration process to provide an accurate indication ofthe amount of particulate matter filtered during the filter operation.

As further illustrated in FIG. 4, the top edge of the housing member 104is provided with support rod notches 150 that are located to positionsupport rods 120 in a desired parallel fashion as indicated in FIG. 3.The support rod notches 150 also secure the rods during use of thedevice.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged detailed perspective view of the filter framesupport structure 122 and filter bag 118. As illustrated, as the filterbag 118 is loaded into the apparatus, the support frame 122 provides astructure that positions the indicator strip 148 at a desired locationabove the first platform 124 shown, for example, in FIG. 4. In thismanner, not only does the indicator strip 148 result in being positionedin a desired height above the first platform 124, the surface area ofthe filter bag is thereby increased thus giving increased flow-throughand filtering effect during the filtering operation.

With reference next to FIGS. 6 and 7, there is shown an alternateembodiment of the ballast water treatment apparatus 102 according to thepresent invention. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6, the upperchamber is substantially similar to that discussed in connection withFIGS. 1-5. As illustrated, this embodiment of the apparatus 102 includesthe filter apparatus 116, and the housing member 104 having an inletport 106 and discharge port 108. This embodiment of the presentinvention also includes a first platform 124 and a second platform 126.This embodiment also similarly includes the first flow aperture 130provided in the first platform 124 and a second flow aperture 132 formedin the second platform 126. As illustrated, the first flow aperture 130is rectangular in shape while the second flow aperture 132 in thisembodiment is circular to conform to an inlet pipe 152 shown in FIG. 7.As illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, this embodiment of the presentinvention includes a treatment tank 154. The treatment tank 154 includesthe UV lamps 136. Depending on the application of the energy required,anywhere between one and eight UV lamps extending the entire length ofthe treatment tank 154 are preferably desired. The tank 154 is furtherprovided with discharge piping 156. As illustrated in FIG. 6, thedischarge piping 156 is fluidly connected to the discharge port 108. Thedischarge piping 156 includes a trap portion 158 which is situated abovethe highest water level attainable within the tank 154. In this mannerduring non-use, water will be maintained within a pipe segment 160 tothereby prevent undesired back-flow. The treatment tank 154 is similarlyprovided with an electrical power supply 144 and an electrical feedbackconnection 140. In this specific embodiment of the apparatus asillustrated in FIG. 7, the treatment tank 154 is further provided withheat sensors 162. The electrical feedback connection 144 and electricalpower supply 144 are similarly connected to a control box 142 asillustrated in FIG. 2. In this embodiment, the heat sensors 162 aresimilarly connected to the control box 142. The heat sensors detect thetemperature of the filtered water as it passes through the treatmenttank 154. In one preferred embodiment, once the UV bulbs 136 reach adesired temperature, they will heat the water and thereby deactivate anybiological organisms contained within the ballast water as it passesthrough the tank 154. In this embodiment, both UV radiation and heat areemployed as indicated to deactivate any biological organisms containedwithin the ballast water.

To prevent premature discharge of filtered water from the treatment tank154 through the discharge port 108, this embodiment of the presentinvention is provided with a solenoid-activated valve 164 which issimilarly electrically connected to the control box 142. In this manner,the valve 164 is not opened until the water temperature within the tank154 reaches a pre-determined processing temperature. In one preferredembodiment, the required bulb temperature for water treatment is 125° F.In this embodiment low pressure UV lamps are employed to achieve thedesired temperature. In another preferred embodiment of this aspect ofthe present invention, high pressure UV lamps are utilized to achieved awater temperature of 400° F. Thus during use of the apparatusillustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, discharge flow is not permitted until thetemperature in tank 154 reaches a predetermined desired temperature setto effectively kill or otherwise deactivate any biologicalmicroorganisms contained within the ballast water. As with theembodiment of the ballast water treatment apparatus 102 discussed inconnection with FIGS. 1-4, the UV lamps utilized in the embodiment shownin FIGS. 6 and 7 are preferably 2000 watts (2 KW) with an operatingvoltage of 1,454 AC running at 1.35 amps. In one specificimplementation, six UV lamps of this particular rating are preferred.

Referring now to FIG. 8, there is shown a schematic cross-sectional sideview of a typical ship's ballast tank and first main deck. Asrepresented schematically, the main deck includes a fire hydrant outlet166 as indicated. During the process of loading sea water into the shipfor ballast, the sea chest and sea valve 168 are open to allow sea waterto enter the ballast tanks 170. To allow sea water into the ballasttank, ballast tank valve 172 is typically provided to control the flowof sea water into the ballast tank. A strainer is provided to remove anylarge particulate matter from the sea water as it enters the ballasttank 170 from the sea chest through the sea valve 168 and into theballast tank 170 through the ballast tank valve 172. As indicated inFIG. 8, the sea water mechanical system also typically includes a firehydrant system main valve 174. During use of the apparatus of thepresent invention, the sea valve 168 is closed while the ballast tankvalve 172 is opened. A pump 176 is activated to pump sea water from theballast tank 170 up through pump 176 and through the connecting piping178 to feed the fire hydrant outlets 166 with sufficient pressure. Thusin this manner, the apparatus of the present invention mayadvantageously utilize the ballast water mechanical systems and the firehydrant system of a ship to direct ballast water from the ballast tanksof a ship through the fire hydrant system to the fire hydrant outlets166 on board the ship and then into the apparatus of the presentinvention.

With reference now to FIG. 9, there is shown a typical container ship180 docked in port alongside a dock 182. According to one aspect of thepresent invention, the ballast treatment apparatus 102 is mounted on adock-side service vehicle 184. In accordance with one method of thepresent invention, the dock-side service vehicle 184 is positionedadjacent to the docked ship, in this case the container ship 180. Firehoses 186 are then connected to the ship's fire hydrant outlets anddirected overboard from the ship's deck to be secured to the ballastwater treatment apparatus 102 contained on or secured to a suitable workspace area provided preferably on the back of the dock-side servicevehicle 184. The fire hoses 186 are then connected to the inlet ports106 of the apparatus 102 and filtration and treatment of the ship'sballast water proceeds as described above. The dock-side service vehicle184 contains a discharge pipe 188 which directs the filtered and treatedwater back into the harbor or port.

The inventors of the present invention have designed and contemplatedmany implementations of the ballast water treatment apparatus 102 foruse in combination with the dock-side service vehicle 184. As indicated,the preferred embodiment of the dock-side vehicle 184 is a modified,small tank truck that has a filter apparatus contained therein and theUV lamps positioned within the truck-mounted tank or tanks. Thus in thismanner, the truck-mounted tanks are completely self-contained andinclude a suitable number of inlet ports 106 designed to readily quickconnect to the ends of fire hoses provided from the ship's firehydrants.

With continuing reference to FIG. 9, the inventors hereof havespecifically provided a method of treating discharged ballast water fromthe ship 180 using the dock-side service vehicle 184. This methodincludes the steps of providing a ballast water treatment apparatus onthe dock-side service vehicle 184, positioning the service vehicle 184adjacent the ship 180, and directing ballast water from a ballast tankof the ship 180 into the ballast water treatment apparatus on thedock-side service vehicle 184 to thereby treat the ship's ballast waterbefore discharging the ship's ballast water into an open waterenvironment. In this method, the respective ship's ballast water may bedirected from the ballast tank through the ship's fire hydrant systemand into the ballast water treatment apparatus on the dock-side servicevehicle 184. The method may include the further step of connecting atleast one fire hose 186 between a fire hydrant outlet on the deck of theship 180 and an inlet port provided on the ballast water treatmentapparatus on the dock-side service vehicle 184.

The inventors hereof have further provided a method of derivingfinancial revenue for services provided for treating discharged ballastwater from the ship 180 using the dock-side service vehicle 184. Thismethod includes the steps of (1) positioning the dock-side servicevehicle 184 adjacent the ship 180, (2) directing ballast water from aballast tank of a ship 180 into a ballast water treatment apparatusmaintained on the dock-side service vehicle 184 to thereby treat theship's ballast water before discharging the ship's ballast water into anopen environment, (3) determining an amount of time required to treatthe ship's ballast water, and (4) calculating a water treatment servicefee based on the amount of time required to treat the ship's ballastwater.

There is also provided another method of deriving financial revenue forservices provided for treating discharged ballast water from a shipusing the dock-side service vehicle 184. This method includes the stepsof (1) positioning the dock-side service vehicle 184 adjacent ship 180,(2) directing ballast water from a ballast tank of the ship into aballast water treatment apparatus maintained on the dock-side servicevehicle 184 to thereby treat the ship's ballast water before dischargingthe ship's ballast water into an open environment, (3) determining atotal volume of treated ballast water processed from the ship's ballastwater tanks, and (4) calculating a water treatment service fee based onthe total volume of treated ballast water.

Referring next to FIG. 10, there is shown the deck plan of the typicalcontainer ship 180 and the location of the fire hydrant outlets 166.FIG. 11 shows the ballast tank areas 170 relative to the cargo areasrepresented by reference numeral 190. The typical cargo container ship180 will carry a known amount of sea water for ballast. Thus if it isdesired to completely treat and filter the ballast water in accordancewith the methods of the present invention, the number of available firehydrant outlets 166 may be determined along with flow rates thereof andthe known flow rates of the ballast water treatment apparatus 102 tocompletely filter the entire ship's ballast water within a predeterminedmaximum amount of time. As represented diagrammatically in FIG. 10, anumber of ballast water treatment apparatus 102 are distributed aroundthe ship's main deck or second deck adjacent fire hydrant outlets 166.The ship's fire hydrant as indicated in FIG. 8 typically includes oneoutlet. According to one aspect of the present invention, ships with oneoutlet fire hydrants many be equipped with a Y-adaptor to therebyprovide two outlets. Both of these outlets may be employed to directballast water into the ballast water treatment apparatus 102.Alternatively one outlet may be employed with the apparatus 102 whilethe other is reserved for use in case it is needed in a fire emergency.Thus according to one preferred method of this invention, two hoses maybe connected to each of the fire hydrants 166 and directed to adjacentballast water treatment devices 102 as inter-connected by the ship'sfire hoses 186. As represented in FIG. 10, the series connectedarrangement of fire hydrants 166 feeding two adjacent ballast watertreatment apparatus 102 will utilize the full flow-through rate of thefire hydrant system of the ship to filter and treat the ship's ballastwater according to this aspect of the present invention in a minimumamount of time. FIG. 12 next illustrates a perspective pictorialrepresentation of this multi-hydrant and multi-apparatus method.

Turning now to FIG. 13, there is shown a perspective view of a typicaltanker 202 situates dockside in a port-of-call. As indicated in FIG. 13,the main deck of the tanker 202 includes a number of fire hydrantoutlets 166. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention,there is provided an in-port service vessel 204 which is outfitted witha ballast water treatment apparatus 102 according to the presentinvention. Thus in accordance with alternate methods of the presentinvention, the in-port service vessel 204 may be employed to pullalongside a docked ship and provide ballast water filtration andtreatment services. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 13, a tanker 202may be required by local, state, national, or international regulationsto have the ship's ballast water treated before its ballast water isdischarged into the port or harbor. Thus in accordance with this methodof the present invention, the ship's fire hoses 186 are connected to themain deck's fire hydrants 166 and directed to the in-port service vessel204 as represented in FIG. 13. The in-port service vessel 204 may be abarge type vessel or tug boat type vessel utilized to provide the waterfiltering and treating service to a ship. According to alternate methodsof this embodiment, neither the ship nor the service vessel 204 neednecessarily be dockside. The ship may be anchored in port oralternatively, even serviced in this manner in open waters or on thehigh seas before entering port.

Thus in continuing reference to FIG. 13, the inventors hereof haveprovided a method of treating discharged ballast Water from a ship usingthe in-port service vessel 204. This method includes the steps of (1)providing a ballast water treatment apparatus 102 on board the servicevessel, (2) positioning the service vessel adjacent the ship 202requiring ballast water treatment, (3) and directing ballast water froma ballast tank of the ship 202 into the ballast water treatmentapparatus 102 on board the service vessel 204 to thereby treat therespective ship's ballast water before discharging the ship's ballastwater. In this method, the ship's ballast water is directed from theballast tank through the ship's fire hydrant system and into the ballastwater treatment apparatus on board the service vessel 204. The methodmay include the further step of connecting at least one fire hose 186between the fire hydrant outlet 166 on the deck of the ship 202 and aninlet port provided on the ballast water treatment apparatus on boardthe service vessel.

Accordingly, there is also provided a method of deriving financialrevenue for services provided for treating discharged ballast water froma ship using the in-port service vessel 204. This method includes thesteps of positioning the service vessel 204 adjacent the ship 202requiring ballast water treatment; directing ballast water from aballast tank of the ship 202 into a ballast water treatment apparatusmaintained on board the service vessel 204 to thereby treat the ship'sballast water before discharging the ship's ballast water into theenvironment; determining an amount of time required to treat the ship'sballast water; and calculating a water treatment service fee based onthe amount of time required to treat the ship's ballast water.

There is further provided another method of deriving financial revenuefor services provided for treating discharged ballast water from theship 202 using the in-port service vessel 204. This method includes thesteps of positioning the service vessel 204 adjacent the ship 202requiring ballast water treatment; directing ballast water from aballast tank of the ship 202 into a ballast water treatment apparatusmaintained on board the service vessel 204 to thereby treat therespective ship's ballast water before discharging the ship's ballastwater into the environment; determining a total volume of treatedballast water processed from the respective ship's ballast water tanks;and calculating a water treatment service fee based on the total volumeof treated ballast water.

Referring next to FIG. 14, there is shown a perspective view of atypical cruise ship 194 in port dockside for loading or unloadingpassengers, cargo, and supplies. As discussed in connection with FIGS.9, 10, and 11, the cruise ship 184 may be similarly serviced by thedock-side service vehicle 184 or alternatively carry on-board a desirednumber of ballast water treatment apparatus 102 for on-ship deck handsto filter and treat the ship's ballast water according to the methodsdiscussed above. In addition thereto, cruise ship 194 may have itsballast water treated by the in-port service vessel 204 discussed above.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the tanker illustrated in FIG. 13illustrating the ballast tank area 170 relative to cargo space 190. FIG.16 is a cross-sectional view of an intermediate class Great Lakes bulkvessel showing the ballast tank area 170 relative to cargo space 190.FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of a Panamax size oil bulk ore carrierrepresenting the ballast tank area 170 relative to cargo space 190. Ineach of these three different types of ships, typically the weight ofthe cargo loaded on or off the ship is approximately made equal to theweight of ballast water used to counter-balance the ship in accordancewith known methods for loading and unloading ships. In these types ofships, ordinarily, a relatively larger volume of ballast water isdischarged during loading as compared to the typical container shipillustrated, for example, in FIG. 9. Nonetheless, the apparatus 102 andmethods of the present invention utilizing either the dock-side servicevehicle 184 or the in-port service vessel 204 may be readily scaled upto meet the volume of ballast water typically discharged by these typesof ships.

With reference now to FIG. 18, there is shown an alternate embodiment ofthe ballast water treatment apparatus of the present invention. Aballast water filtration apparatus 210 is shown in FIG. 18. The ballastwater filtration device 210 similarly includes a filter bag 118 andsupport rods 120. In this embodiment, the support rods 120 are providedwith members to hook over the side of the ship as illustrated in FIG.18. In use, a fire hose 186 is connected to the fire hydrant on theship's deck and the open end of the fire hose 186 is simply placed inthe filter bag 118 as illustrated. Thus in this embodiment of thepresent invention, there is provided a very simply and economically costeffective filtration apparatus and method.

FIG. 19 shows a half-face housing member for the ballast water filterapparatus 210 illustrated in FIG. 18. The half-face housing member 212illustrated in FIG. 19 may be employed in conjunction with the ballastwater filter apparatus 210 shown in FIG. 18 to provide a directed outletflow as indicated in FIG. 19. The half-faced housing is similarlyprovided with the discharge port 108 to direct the water downwardly intothe harbor. The discharge port 108 may similarly have adapted theretothe discharge hose 110 illustrated in FIG. 1 to thereby further directthe filtered ballast water into the open water environment of the harboror port.

With reference next to FIGS. 20 and 21, there is shown a perspectiveview of yet another embodiment of the ballast water treatment apparatus102 according to the present invention. FIG. 21 in particular is anexploded view of the ballast water treatment apparatus 102 illustratedin FIG. 20 including break-away sections to show interior elements ofprincipal components of the apparatus 102. In this embodiment shown inFIGS. 20 and 21, the apparatus 102 includes a filtration unit 214, a UVcontainment vessel or compartment 218, and an electrical compartment220. As illustrated, the filtration unit 214 includes a cap memberhaving view ports 216. When in use, the cap member prevents ballastwater from splashing out of the apparatus 102 while the view ports 216provide viewing access to the interior of the filtration unit 214 duringfiltration operations. As further illustrated in FIG. 20, the filtrationunit 214 includes the inlet port and associated piping 106 which may beimplemented with a gallon meter at the T-junction shown. To furtherincrease the intake flow, the filtration unit 214 may be outfitted withtwo inlet ports and associated piping 106, one such situated asillustrated and the other similarly installed on the reverse-side orback-side of the unit 214 as shown. The UV compartment 218 includes theUV lamps 136 which in this embodiment are positioned within the UVcompartment 218 by use of a pair of UV bulb mounting brackets 222.

As shown in FIG. 21, the UV compartment 218 includes UV sensors 221which are employed to detect the UV output of the bulbs 136. As shown,the apparatus 102 illustrated in FIGS. 20 and 21 includes the controlbox 142 that is implemented to similarly control operations of theapparatus as discussed above in connection with the embodiment of theapparatus 102 illustrated in FIGS. 1-5. In the embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 20 and 21, the electrical compartment may include additionalcomponents to provide further operations and functions to the apparatus102.

In operation, a fire hose connected to the ship's fire hydrant at oneend is connected at its other end to the inlet piping 106. Ballast waterthen travels from the lower right area of the filtration unit 214 asillustrated to the upper left thereof to then be directed and dischargedinto the filter apparatus 116. The ballast water then drains through thefilter 116 to thereby remove particulate matter as small as 1 micron.The filtered ballast water then exits the filtration unit 214 throughthe first flow aperture 130 and is directed into the UV compartment 218for UV treatment. As the UV compartment 218 fills with filtered ballastwater at one end, filtered water is then directed to the other endthereof toward the discharge port 108. As the filtered water flows alongin the UV compartment 218 toward the discharge port 108, the UV lampsare activated to treat the filtered water so that any micro-organisms,viruses, or bacteria that may have remained in the ballast water afterthe filtration step are thereby deactivated by UV treatment. The generaldirection of flow is indicated by the wide arrows shown in FIG. 21.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 20 and 21, the UV lamps 136 aresituated substantially perpendicular to the flow of ballast water. Inone particular preferred embodiment of the UV compartment 218, the UVlamps 136 utilized therein are 3000 KW lamps operating at 220 VAC and 30Amps. In one such preferred embodiment, six UV lamps 136 are employed.While in other embodiments, the number of UV lamps 136 may varydepending on the desired flow rate, type of ballast water, and desireddeactivation or “kill” effectiveness.

FIG. 22 is a detailed partial plan view of a UV lamp assembly utilizedin conjunction with the ballast water treatment apparatus shown in FIGS.20 and 21. FIG. 22 illustrates build-up of UV-irradiated biologicalmaterial on the lamp assembly. FIG. 23 is a view similar to FIG. 22showing a tube wiper system and actuator assembly 226 cleaning thebuild-up of UV-irradiated biological material on the lamp assemblyaccording to another aspect of the present invention. FIG. 24 is a viewsimilar to FIG. 23 showing the lamp assembly in a fully cleaned or wipedcondition after full activation of the tube wiper system 226. FIG. 25 isa detailed isolated elevation view of a wiper or face plate 228 employedin the tube wiper system 226 illustrated in FIGS. 22-24.

As illustrated in FIGS. 22-24, each UV lamp 136 is enclosed in atransparent sleeve 224. When the filtered ballast water is treated inthe UV compartment, deactivated particulate matter may build up on thetransparent sleeves 224. As this build-up of particulate matterincreases in thickness, the effect of the UV lamps will be diminished.Thus the UV sensors 221 are employed to detect the UV output of eachassociated bulb. Once the UV lamp output decreases below a certain setthreshold, the cleaning actuator 226 is activated to wipe clean thetransparent lamp sleeves 224. This wiping effect is achieved by use of arubber wiper washer 230, FIG. 25, which snuggly fits around the sleeve224 as illustrated. After activation, the sleeve is wiped clean and theUV effectiveness is returned to a maximum. The control box 142 andelectrical compartment 220, FIGS. 21 and 22, are implemented withoperational features that control sleeve cleaning or wiping in a desiredmanner.

To accommodate the need to treat larger volumes of ballast water,additional methods and embodiments of the present invention may beutilized in conjunction with ballast water discharged through thetypical discharge port in various sea-going ships. Compared with thefire hydrant outlet 166 (FIG. 12) in the typical ship-board fire hydrantsystem, the ballast water discharge port in the side of the ship's hullis typically larger thus providing greater fluid volume flow. The sizeof the ballast water discharge port in the side of the ship's hull canrage up to 18 to 24 inches in the largest of sea-going ships. Thus thepresent invention includes additional methods, apparatus, systems andrelated aspects and functionalities thereof directed to large volumethrough-put filtration ballast water filtration systems.

Now turning to FIG. 26, there is shown a perspective schematicrepresentation including detail cut-way views of a large volumethrough-put filtration system 232 employing several filter modules andUV irradiation according to alternate embodiments of the presentinvention. The filtration system 232 includes an input port 234 and adischarge port 236. In operation, the input port is 234 is connected tothe ballast water discharge port of a ship described in further detailbelow. As shown in FIG. 26, the input port is 234 is connected to aninlet reservoir 238. The inlet reservoir 238 is in fluid communicationwith a main tank 240 which includes a plurality of filter bag assembliesor modules 242. In the illustrated preferred embodiment hereof, thefilter bag modules 242 are positioned in the upper portion of the maintank 240 so the lower portion thereof may fill with treated ballastwater that has been filtered through the filter bag modules 242 asdescribed in further detail below. The main tank 240 is in fluidcommunication with a side channel tank 244 as shown in FIGS. 26 and 28.The main tank 240 and the side channel tank 244 are separated from eachother by a dividing wall 246 which includes flow holes 248 position inthe lower part of the dividing wall 246 as shown in both FIGS. 26 and28. The side channel tank 244 includes an end wall 250 which is providedwith a lip edge 252 as shown in FIG. 26. Thus in operation, as the sidechannel tank 244 fills with filtered ballast water, it will eventuallyfill to the level of the lip edge 252 and then filtered water from theside channel tank 244 will spill into a side fill tank 254 asillustrated. The filtration system 232 also includes a UV containmentchamber 256 which is configured to include UV bulbs or lamps 257. Asshown, the side fill tank 254 and the UV containment chamber 256 areseparated by a common wall 258 which includes flow holes 259 in thebottom thereof. As further illustrated in FIG. 26, each filter bagmodule 242 is associated with a hatch cover 260 and the main tank 240 isprovided with a manifold plate 262 including flow holes 264. As shown inthis embodiment, the manifold plate 262 is positioned above the filterbag modules 242. In this particular embodiment, the manifold plate 262is divided into manifold section doors 266 that correspond in size tothe hatch covers 260 so that during maintenance, a workman may open ahatch cover 260 and a corresponding manifold door 266 to change andreplace a used filter bag with a new one.

With reference next to FIG. 27A, there is shown a schematic end-viewelevation diagram of the filter bag module 242 which is positioned inthe upper portion of the main tank 240 discussed above in connectionwith FIG. 26. Now as illustrated in FIG. 27A, the filter bag module 242in this particular embodiment includes a first filter bag 268 and asecond filter bag 270. Thus in this manner during operation, a workmanmay open the hatch cover 260 and the manifold door 266 and change a usedfirst filter bag 268 with a new clean filter bag without interruptingthe overall flow of ballast water through the system so that filteringoperation may continue. This is achieved by leaving in place the secondfilter bag 270 while the first filter bag 268 is changed out with a newfirst bag. As further illustrated in FIG. 27A, the filter bag module 242may include an A-frame support member 272 similar to the support frame122 discussed above in conjunction with FIGS. 4 and 5. In this mannerwhen using both the first and second filter bags 268 and 270 in thisembodiment, the filter area may be increased four-fold when the A-framesupport member 272 is made to extend to just below the top edge of thebags 268 and 270 as illustrated. As further shown here in FIG. 27A, thefilter bag module 242 may include a bottom screen plate 274 includingflow holes 276. The first and second filter bags 268 and 270 may haveany desired manufacture and sizing as needed for the variousapplications hereof. Each of the filter bags 268 and 270 may preferablybe formed of material having porosity on the order of microns and morepreferably in the range of 10 to 200 microns. It is desired that thefilter bags filter out various biological material including planktonand in particular zooplankton which has an average size of 50 microns.Thus in one preferred embodiment, the filter bags are made from materialcapable of filtering participles of about 25 microns or larger.

FIG. 27B is a schematic side-view elevation diagram of the filter bagmodule 242 of FIG. 27A. Here as illustrated, incoming untreated ballastwater is shown flowing over the manifold plate 262 and falling throughthe flow holes 264 into the first and second filter bags 268 and 270.Thereafter, the filtered ballast water is shown flowing out of thebottom of the first and second filter bags 268 and 270 onto the screenplate 274 and then through the flow holes 276 as provided in the screenplate 274.

Continuing next with FIG. 28, there is illustrated a schematic side-viewelevation diagram of the lower portion of the main tank 240 of FIG. 26and the associated side channel tank 244. As shown, the filtered ballastwater from the above the first and second filter bags 268 and 270, FIG.27A, flows through the flow holes 276 as provided in the screen plate274 into the bottom of the main tank 240.

With reference now back to FIG. 26 here taken in conjunction with FIGS.27A, 27B, and 28, operation of the filtration system 232 is nextdescribed in detail. As briefly mentioned above, the input port is 234is connected to the ballast water discharge port of a ship to begin thefiltration method according to this aspect of the present invention. Asrepresented in FIG. 26, when unfiltered ballast water enters the inputport is 234 the inlet reservoir 238 begins to fill. When the water inthe inlet reservoir 238 reaches the level of the manifold plate 262, thewater will spill out over onto the manifold plate 262 and drain downthrough the flow holes 264 into the filter bag modules 242. Thereafter,incoming untreated ballast water flows into the first and second filterbags 268 and 270. Next, the filtered ballast water flows out of thebottom of the first and second filter bags 268 and 270 onto the screenplate 274 and then through the flow holes 276 in the screen plate 274.As the bottom of the main tank 240 fills, filtered water will passthrough flow holes 248 in the dividing wall 246 positioned between themain tank 240 and the side channel tank 244 as shown best in FIG. 28. Aswould be readily understood by those of skill in the art, the waterlevel in the bottom of the main tank 240 and that in the side channeltank 244 will be the same and rise at the same time since they are influid communication by the flow holes 248 so positioned in the bottom ofthe dividing wall 248. Now as the water level in the side channel tank244 reaches the level of the lip edge 252 in the end wall 250, FIG. 26,filtered water will proceed to overflow into the side fill tank 254. Andthen as side fill tank 254 fills; the UV containment chamber 256 willfill by virtue of the flow holes 259 positioned in the bottom of thecommon wall 258. As shown in FIG. 26, the discharge port 236 ispreferably position above the highest level of the UV lamps 257 so thatthe UV lamps 257 are fully submerged in filtered ballast water in the UVcontainment chamber 256 before water begins to flow out the dischargeport 236. Thus in operation, the out flowing filtered ballast water isirradiated by UV energy to deactivate any living biological organismsremaining in the water after filtration. The lamp cleaning system shownand discussed above in reference to FIGS. 22-25 may be readily adaptedto the UV lamps 257 utilized here in the UV containment chamber 256.

It should thus be apparent to those skilled in the art, given thepresent disclosure, that water flow in the filtration system 232 isachieved by gravity and that electric pumps are not required in thisembodiment. Thus water flow rates through the present system may beadjusted by design parameters relating to the size of tanks, the heightof tanks, the size of overflow gaps, lips, and holes as well as thenumber of filter modules employed and the flow rate through the filterbags.

Turning now to use of the filtration system 232 of FIGS. 26-28 in theshipping and marine environment, reference is had next to FIG. 29 whichis a perspective view of a container ship 180 docked port-side beingserviced by a dock-side service vehicle 278. As illustrated, the servicevehicle 278 includes a trailer 280 which is adapted to include thesystem 232. In this integrated embodiment, the hatch covers 260 areimplemented in the top of the trailer 280 as shown. The trailer 280 isalso adapted to include the inlet port 234 of the system 232 in the topof the trailer 280 and the discharge port 236 of the system 232 in theside of the trailer 280 at an appropriate height level given thegravity-feed aspects of this particular embodiment. As furtherillustrated, the inlet port 234 is connected to a ballast waterdischarge port 282 in the ship 180 by a supply or discharge hose 284,and the discharge port 236 of the system 232 is connected to a dischargehose 286 to transfer filtered and UV treated water from the trailer 280back into the harbor environment. Thus in this manner there is providedan integrated vehicle and ballast water treatment system that does notrequire any substantial modifications to the ship 180.

FIG. 30 is a perspective view of a tanker 202 docked at the dock 182 forloading or unloading. The tanker 202 is being serviced by an in-portservice barge 288 according to additional aspects of the presentinvention that utilize the ballast water discharge port 282. Here inFIG. 30, in similar fashion to the container ship 180 of FIG. 29, thedischarge port 282 of the tanker 202 is connected to the supply hose 284which in turn is connected to the inlet port 234 of the system 232 asconfigured to reside in the service barge 288. The service barge 288preferably includes a discharge port 236 (not shown here) for the system232 so that filtered and UV treated ballast water from the ship may bedischarged back into the marine environment. However in this bargeconfiguration, the various tanks of the system 232 may be made largeenough such that filtration and UV treatment need not be performed in acontinuous real-time manner but, for example, unfiltered water, filteredwater, or otherwise partially treated water may be stored in the barge288 for further processing at a later time such as after the tanker 202has left port. Thus in this manner, several ships may be serviced beforeany discharge of any fully treat ballast water becomes necessary.

With reference next to FIG. 31A, there is shown a perspective view of aconnector ring assembly 290 according to one aspect of the presentinvention employed to couple the supply hose 284 to the ballast waterdischarge port of a ship. The connector ring assembly 290 includes amain ring member 292 that is provided with a plurality of hookassemblies 294 distributed around the main ring member 292. Each hookassembly 294 includes a hook arm 296 with a hook head 297, a fasteningbolt 298 with a wing nut head 299, a return spring 300, and a rocker arm302 and a hinge pin 304. As illustrated, the rocker arm 302 is securedto the main ring member 292 at one end and operatively engaged with thehook arm 296 by use of the hinge pin 304. Additional aspects hereof willbe described in further detail below with regard to FIGS. 32A-32D and33.

FIG. 31B is a perspective view of an alternate connector ring assembly306 coupled to the discharge supply hose 284 for mating to the ballastwater discharge port 282 of a ship. In this embodiment, the connectorring assembly 306 includes a flange member 308 and an extending nipplemember or connector 310. Positioned adjacent the flange member 308 andthe nipple connector 310 is a rubber O-ring. This embodiment of theconnector ring assembly 306 further includes electro-magnets 314 whichare operatively connected to a suitable electric supply 316. In thismanner, the nipple member 310 of the connector ring assembly 306 may beinserted into the ballast water discharge port 282 in the ship and theelectro-magnets activated to cause an attracting magnetic force betweenthe assembly ring and the ship's hull to thereby compress the rubberO-ring 312 against the side of the ship adjacent the discharge port 282to thereby further cause a water tight seal between the assembly and thedischarge port of the ship. In an alternate embodiment hereof, theelectro-magnets are not included and the water-tight seal is achieved bymaintaining mechanical presser on the ring assembly while inserted intothe discharge port 282. Additional aspects hereof will be described infurther detail below with regard to FIG. 38.

FIGS. 32A to 32D relate to retro-fitting a ship so that it is madecompatible with certain aspects of the present invention and methodsassociated therewith. This retro-fit is simple and inexpensive and thusshould be easily implemented by ship owners. Thus FIG. 32A is presentedas an isolated cut-away side elevation view of a typical ballast waterdischarge port 282 before being retro-fitted according to this aspect ofthe present invention. FIG. 32B shows a plan view of a flat annularinsert or retainer ring 316 used to retro-fit the typical ballast waterdischarge port 282 according hereto. Now so that the ship is renderedcompatible with the connector ring assembly 290 shown FIG. 31A, the flatannular ring 316 of FIG. 32B is sized to fit into the discharge port 282and welded therein as shown in FIG. 32C. Thus in this manner theconnector ring assembly 290 shown FIG. 31A may operatively connect withthe discharge port 282 as represented in FIG. 32D.

More particularly now with reference to FIG. 33, there is shown acut-away section view of the connector ring assembly 290 locked intoposition in the discharge port 282 of a ship to illustrate certaindetail mechanical aspects thereof. As shown, when the wing nut heads 299are tightened down, the hook heads 297 will engage the annular ring 316and provide a water-tight fit between the supply hose 284 and the ship'sdischarge port 282 so that the ship's ballast water may be directed tothe filtering and treatment apparatus according to other aspects of thisinvention. When the discharge of ballast water is complete, the wing nutheads may be loosened and the springs 300 will then push the hook heads297 away from the annular retainer ring 316 by having the hook arms 296pivot about the hinge pins 304. In this manner, the supply hose 284including the connector ring assembly 290 may be quickly and easilyremoved from the ship's ballast water discharge port 282.

Next with reference to FIG. 34, there is illustrated a side elevationschematic view of an alternate large volume through-put treatment system320 employing several filter modules and multiple UV irradiation unitsaccording to additional embodiments of the present invention. Theballast water treatment system 320 includes an upper flow chamber 322and a lower tank chamber 324. This system is similarly provided with aninlet port 326 and at least one discharge port 328. As shown in the topview of FIG. 35, the upper flow chamber 322 is formed of a multitude ofindividual filter bag compartments 330. In the upper flow chamber, eachfilter bag compartment is 330 fluidly isolated from all adjacentchambers 330 by use of flow shut-off or cut-off valves 332. Theindividual filter bag compartments 330 may be clustered into cooperativegroups such as, for example, the 3-by-3 groupings illustrated. In thismanner, both the upper flow chamber 322 and the lower tank chamber 324,FIG. 34, may be subdivided into cooperative sub-chambers with associatedflow valves. The system 320 is further provided with UV irradiationwater treatment tanks or units 334 with an inlet 335 that will bedescribed in further detail below with reference to FIG. 37.

Now with continuing reference to both FIGS. 34 and 35, the shut-offvalves 332 may be employed to shut off the flow of ballast water into arespective individual filter bag compartment 330. Each compartment 330is provided with a hatch cover 336 so that the compartment 330 may beaccessed from the top. As shown further, each compartment 330 includes afilter bag 338 illustrated in perspective view in FIG. 36. Thus when anindividual bag needs to be changed, the shut-off valves 332 around therespective compartment 330 may be closed, the corresponding hatch 336opened, and then the bag 338 changed as needed. Thereafter, the shut-offvalves 332 are opened and the individual compartment 330 with a new bagis brought back into service. FIG. 35 also shows that each UV treatmentunit 334 is associated with a pump 339 positioned in the bottom of thelower tank chamber 324. In this manner, the filtered ballast watercollected in the bottom of the tank chamber 324 may be pumped into arespective UV treatment unit 334. In an alternate embodiment hereof, theUV tanks 334 are located below the bottom of the lower tank chamber 324so that filtered ballast water from the tank chamber 324 may flow byforce of gravity into the tank 334 for further UV treatment. Thus inthis embodiment, the pump 339 is not required.

As with the first and second filter bags 268 and 270 discussed above,here the filter bag 338 may have any desired manufacture and sizing asneeded for the various applications hereof. And similarly here, thefilter bag 338 may be preferably formed of material having porosity onthe order of microns and more preferably in the range of 10 to 200microns. It is desired that the filter bags 338 filter out variousbiological material including plankton and in particular zooplanktonwhich has an average size of 50 microns. Thus in one preferredembodiment, the filter bags 338 are also made from material capable offiltering participles of about 25 microns or larger.

FIG. 37 is an enlarged detailed perspective view including a cut-awaydetail of the UV treatment tank or unit 334 and related piping. FIG. 37also includes in block diagram form various electronic components of thepresent UV lamp system. This UV lamp system may be readily adapted toperform with any of the filtration systems disclosed herein and forpurposes of illustrating its functionally and principal components byway of example application, this system will be described as implementedwith the filtration system of FIG. 34. Thus proceeding, the inlet 335 tothe unit 334 is connected to the pump 339 or gravity-feed discharge,FIG. 34, and the outlet or discharge port 328 may be directed into themarine environment by hose connection. Alternatively all the dischargeports 328 from each of the UV units 334 any be ganged together by use ofsuitable piping to form only one downstream discharge port 328 which mayin turn be connected to a single discharge hose. The UV unit 334includes UV lamps 136 electrically connected to the lamp sockets 138,and the power supply 144 to supply electric current to the lamps 136 andassociated electronic circuits. In some embodiments, the heat sensors162 may be employed as described above. The UV lamps 136 here areemployed generally in the various embodiments hereof as described aboveand may further advantageously include the wiper cleaning system shownin FIGS. 22 to 25. As further illustrated in the particular exemplaryembodiment FIG. 37, the inlet 335 is provided with an electronicallyactivated inlet control valve 340 and the discharge 328 is similarlyprovided with a discharge control valve 341. As illustrated, the UV unit334 is operatively connected electronically to a controller 342, aprocessor 343, and a memory 344. The unit 344 is further provided with apressure sensor 345 to sense the water pressure within the tank and asalso illustrated, the unit 334 includes an in-line inlet filter 346 andan in-line discharge filter 347. These filters may have any desiredmanufacture and sizing as desired or needed for the applications hereof.Each of the filters 346 and 347 may preferably be formed of materialhaving porosity on the order of microns and more preferably in the rangeof 10 to 200 microns. In one preferred embodiment, the filters includematerial designed to filter out particles of about 25 microns or larger.As enabled with the controller 342, the processor 343, and the memory344, the unit 334 may be programmed in any manner needed or desired forvarious and particular applications. Such functionalities andapplications include, for example, opening and closing the inlet anddischarge valves 340 and 341 to either prevent ballast water fromentering when inlet valve 340 is closed, filling the tank 334 with waterwhen inlet valve 340 is open and discharge valve 341 is closed so that,for example, water contained in the unit may be heated by the lamps 136,or allowing flow through the unit when both valves 340 and 341 are open.The valves 340 and 341 may also be controlled to stop water flow so thatthe filters 346 and 347 may be changed as needed. The processor 343 andcontroller 342 are also operatively connected with the lamps 136 to turnthem on and off, for example, and record their usage of time. Thus thememory 344 is provided, for example, to maintain a record of hours ofservice for each lamp. The memory 344 may also store a record of lampchanges and other system data as needed or desired of the variousapplications hereof. The UV lamps 136 here are also further implementedaccording to the methods described below in FIGS. 40 and 41.

FIG. 38 is a perspective view of the container ship 180 and an alternateembodiment of the dock-side service vehicle 278 of FIG. 29 furtherillustrating use of an articulating arm 348 for positioning andmaintaining the supply hose 284 in cooperative engagement with theballast water discharge port 282 of the ship 180. This service vehicle278 may utilize either the system 232 described in reference to FIG. 26or the alternate system 320 of FIGS. 34 and 35. In this particularembodiment, the articulating arm 348 includes three segments. Thesesegments include a base segment 349, an extension segment 350, and anend segment 352. The end segment 352 is formed from rigid pipe. Here inthis embodiment of the service vehicle 278, the flexible supply hose 284is connected into the rigid pipe forming the end segment 352 and thedistal end thereof is outfitted with the connector ring assembly 306 ofFIG. 31B. The connector ring assembly 306 as implemented here may notrequire the electro-magnets 314, FIG. 31B, since the articulating arm348 may be employed to provide sufficient presser on the ring assembly306 against the side of the ship's hull to thereby provide the desiredwater-tight seal between the assembly and ship. Alternatively, theelectro-magnets 314 may be readily employed here when desired and theirneeded electric supply may be supplied and controlled from the vehicle278. Once the connector ring assembly 306 is engaged with the ship'sballast water discharge port 282, any of the filtration and treatmentprocess described above may begin. This includes utilizing either thesystem 232 described in reference to FIG. 26 or the alternate system 320of FIGS. 34 and 35.

With reference next to FIG. 39, there is shown a perspective view of thetanker 202 and an augmented embodiment of the in-port service barge 288of FIG. 30 further illustrating use of a hoisting derrick system 354 forpositioning and maintaining the supply hose 284 in cooperativeengagement with the ship 202. The hoisting derrick system 354 includes atower member 356, and operator's platform 358, and a crane type boom arm360. In this embodiment, the distal end of the boom arm 360 is outfittedwith block and tackle rigging 362 so that an operator positioned on theplatform 358, the ship's deck, or the dock 182 may easily hoist the endof the supply hose 284 up to the ballast water discharge port of theship. As with the service vehicle 278 described above in connection withFIG. 38, the in-port service barge 288 here may utilize either thefiltration and treatment system 232 described in reference to FIG. 26 orthe alternate system 320 of FIGS. 34 and 35. The supply hose 284 maypreferably here include either of the connector ring assemblies 290 ofFIG. 31A or 306 of FIG. 31B.

Now continuing with reference to FIG. 40, there is shown a logic flowchart illustrating one method according to the present invention asemployed with low pressure UV lamps. This method includes some stepsperformed by the electronic components shown in FIG. 37 and thus thefollowing method is presented with reference to both FIGS. 37 and 40.The method begins with the step 364 where data is written to the memory344. This data may include date, time, and any other desiredinformation. At step 366 both water valves 340 and 341 are opened. Nextat step 366, the system verifies that low pressure UV lamps are beingused. Then at step 370 the lamps 136 are turned on, and again at step372 lamp data are written to the memory 344. At step 374, the systemruns a self check to insure the valves remain open. At the next step 376a continuous check of the tank water pressure is performed by use of thepressure sensor 345. If the pressure increases above or decreases belowpre-determined thresholds then the method proceeds to step 378 where analarm is sounded and an indication to check and change either or both ofthe filters 346 and 347 is provided at step 380. As long as the tankpressure is maintained within operating parameters, the system proceedsto step 382 where the lamps are polled and data is updated to memory344. As indicated at step 384, lamp status is also continuouslymonitored. If the lamp status becomes negative, the method proceeds tostep 386 where the memory 344 is updated, then at step 388 the alarm issounded, and lastly at step 390 the lamp is replaced or the system isotherwise checked as needed. As long as the lamps 136 are operatingproperly, the system proceeds to step 392 where the lamps are wipedclean by the wiper system discussed in regard to FIGS. 22-25. Duringnormal operation the water flow may be timed out or otherwise the flowstops when the full amount of water is treated as needed. Thus at step394 the system inquires whether there has been a timeout or the processis completed for the current session. If the session is to continue, themethod proceeds back to step 374 to keep the valves open and continuewith water flow and treatment. On the other hand, if there is a timeoutor the system is stopped, the method proceeds to step 396 where thevalves 340 and 341 are closed and the lamps 136 are turned off. Thennext at step 398 the memory 344 is updated and the session ends.

FIG. 41 is another logic flow chart illustrating one method according tothe present invention as employed with medium pressure UV lamps. As withthe method above, this method includes some steps performed by theelectronic components shown in FIG. 37 and thus the following method ispresented with reference to both FIGS. 37 and 41. The method begins withthe step 400 where data is written to the memory 344. This data mayinclude date, time, and any other desired information. At step 402 watervalve 340 is opened. Next at step 404, the system determines whether thetank 334 is full of water. If not, then valve 340 remains open. When thetank is full, the system proceeds to step 406 where both valves areclose. Thus here at step 406 the tank is full and water flow hasstopped. Then at step 408 the lamps 136 are turned on, and at step 410the lamps are allowed to warm up. If the lamps do not warm as intendedthe system proceeds back to step 404 as indicated. When the lamps reachoperating temperature, the method proceeds to step 412 and lamp data iswritten to the memory 344. At step 414, both valves are opened to allowflow full through after the lamps have warmed to operating temperature.At the next step 416 a continuous check of the tank water pressure isperformed by use of the pressure sensor 345. If the pressure increasesabove or decreases below pre-determined thresholds then the methodproceeds to step 418 where an alarm is sounded and an indication tocheck and change either or both of the filters 346 and 347 is providedat step 420. As long as the tank pressure is maintained within operatingparameters, the system proceeds to step 422 where the lamps are polledand data is updated to memory 344. As indicated next at step 424, lampstatus is also continuously monitored. If the lamp status becomesnegative, the method proceeds to step 426 where the memory 344 isupdated, then at step 428 the alarm is sounded, and lastly at step 430the lamp is replaced or the system is otherwise checked as needed. Aslong as the lamps 136 are operating properly, the system proceeds tostep 432 where the lamps are wiped clean by the wiper system discussedin regard to FIGS. 22-25. During normal operation the water flow may betimed out or otherwise the flow stops when the full amount of water istreated as needed. Thus at step 434 the system inquires whether therehas been a timeout or the process is completed for the current session.If the session is to continue, the method proceeds back to step 414 tokeep the valves open and continue with water flow and treatment. On theother hand, if there is a timeout or the system is stopped, the methodproceeds to step 436 where the valves 340 and 341 are closed and thelamps 136 are turned off. Then next at step 438 the memory 344 isupdated and the session ends.

While this invention has been described in detail with reference tocertain and various preferred embodiments along with aspects,functionalities, and characteristics thereof, it should be appreciatedthat the present invention is not limited to those precise embodiments.Rather, in view of the present disclosure which describes the currentbest mode for practicing the invention, many modifications andvariations would present themselves to those of skill in the art withoutdeparting from the scope and spirit of this invention. The scope of theinvention is, therefore, indicated by the following claims rather thanby the foregoing description. All changes, modifications, and variationscoming within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are tobe considered within their scope.

1. A method of distributing portable water treatment devices around thedeck of a ship to process ballast water discharged from the fire hydrantsystem of the ship, each of said water treatment devices having a knownprocessing rate, said method comprising the steps of: determining anumber and location of fire hydrant outlets on the deck of a ship;ascertaining a flow rate of each of said located fire hydrant outlets;determining an amount of said ship's ballast water requiring treatment;setting a desired duration of time during which the determined amount ofballast water requiring treatment is to be processed; determining anumber of water treatment devices necessary to process the determinedamount of ballast water within said desired duration of time; anddistributing said determined number of water treatment devices aroundsaid deck of said ship proximate selected fire hydrant outlets to directballast water from said fire hydrant outlets into respective watertreatment devices for processing.
 2. A marine service vessel fortreating discharged ballast water from a ship, said vessel comprising: ahousing tank positioned within a water treatment processing areaassociated with the marine service vessel, said housing tank having atleast one inlet port and one discharge port, said at least one inletport being adapted to receive ballast water from the fire hydrant systemof a respective ship by connecting a fire hose between a fire hydrant onsaid respective ship and said at least one inlet port of said housingtank; a filter positioned within said housing tank, said filter employedto filter particulate matter from said ballast water received from saidrespective ship's fire hydrant system; and a source of electromagneticradiation maintained within said housing tank for irradiating saidballast water to thereby deactivate biological organisms containedtherein.
 3. A method of treating discharged ballast water from a shipusing a service vessel, said method comprising the steps of: providing aballast water treatment apparatus on board said service vessel;positioning said service vessel adjacent a respective ship requiringballast water treatment; and directing ballast water from a ballast tankof said respective ship into said ballast water treatment apparatus onboard said service vessel to thereby treat said respective ship'sballast water before discharging said ship's ballast water.
 4. Themethod according to claim 3 wherein said respective ship's ballast wateris directed from said ballast tank through the ship's fire hydrantsystem and into said ballast water treatment apparatus on board saidservice vessel.
 5. The method according to claim 4 including the furtherstep of connecting at least one fire hose between a fire hydrant outleton a deck of said respective ship and an inlet port provided on saidballast water treatment apparatus on board said service vessel.
 6. Amethod of deriving financial revenue for services provided for treatingdischarged ballast water from a ship using a service vessel, said methodcomprising the steps of: positioning said service vessel adjacent arespective ship requiring ballast water treatment; directing ballastwater from a ballast tank of a respective ship into a ballast watertreatment apparatus maintained on board said service vessel to therebytreat said respective ship's ballast water before discharging saidship's ballast water into the environment; determining an amount of timerequired to treat said respective ship's ballast water; and calculatinga water treatment service fee based at least in part on said amount oftime required to treat said respective ship's ballast water.
 7. A methodof deriving financial revenue for services provided for treatingdischarged ballast water from a ship using a service vessel, said methodcomprising the steps of: positioning said service vessel adjacent arespective ship requiring ballast water treatment; directing ballastwater from a ballast tank of a respective ship into a ballast watertreatment apparatus maintained on board said service vessel to therebytreat said respective ship's ballast water before .discharging saidship's ballast water into the environment; determining a total volume oftreated ballast water processed from said respective ship's ballastwater tanks; and calculating a water treatment service fee based atleast in part on said total volume of treated ballast water.
 8. A methodof treating discharged ballast water from a ship using a dock-sideservice vehicle, said method comprising the steps of: providing aballast water treatment apparatus in association with said dock-sideservice vehicle; positioning said ballast water treatment apparatusadjacent a respective ship requiring ballast water treatment; anddirecting ballast water from a ballast tank of said respective ship intosaid ballast water treatment apparatus associated with said dock-sideservice vehicle to thereby treat said respective ship's ballast waterbefore discharging said ship's ballast water into an open waterenvironment.
 9. The method according to claim 8 wherein said ship'sballast water is directed from said ballast tank through the ship's firehydrant system and into said ballast water treatment apparatusassociated with said dock-side service vehicle.
 10. The method accordingto claim 9 including the further step of connecting at least one firehose between a fire hydrant outlet on a deck of said respective ship andan inlet port provided on said ballast water treatment apparatusassociated with said dock-side service vehicle.
 11. A method of derivingfinancial revenue for services provided for treating discharged ballastwater from a ship using a dock-side service vehicle, said methodcomprising the steps of: positioning said dock-side service vehicleadjacent a respective ship requiring ballast water treatment, directingballast water from a ballast tank of a respective ship into a ballastwater treatment apparatus maintained in association with said dock-sideservice vehicle to thereby treat said respective ship's ballast waterbefore discharging said ship's ballast water into an open environment;determining an amount of time required to treat said respective ship'sballast water; and calculating a water treatment service fee based atleast in part on said amount of time required to treat said respectiveship's ballast water.
 12. A method of deriving financial revenue forservices provided for treating discharged ballast water from a shipusing a dock-side service vehicle, said method comprising the steps of:positioning said dock-side service vehicle adjacent a respective shiprequiring ballast water treatment; directing ballast water from aballast tank of a respective ship into a ballast water treatmentapparatus maintained in association with said dock-side service vehicleto thereby treat said respective ship's ballast water before dischargingsaid ship's ballast water into an open environment; determining a totalvolume of treated ballast water processed from said respective ship'sballast water tanks; and calculating a water treatment service fee basedat least in part on said total volume of treated ballast water.
 13. Amethod of processing ballast water discharged from a ship, said methodcomprising: accessing ballast water requiring treatment from a ship'sballast tank through a fire hydrant system of said ship; directing saidballast water from said fire hydrant system through a filter to therebyremove undesired particulate matter from said ballast water; andallowing discharge of the filtered ballast water into a pre-selectedopen water environment.
 14. The method according to claim 13 includingthe further step of directing electromagnetic radiation at said ballastwater before allowing discharge of the filtered ballast water into saidpre-selected open water environment to thereby deactivate biologicalorganisms contained within ballast water.
 15. A method of using the firehydrant system of a ship to treat ballast water, said method comprisingthe steps of: accessing ballast water requiring treatment from a ship'sballast tank through at least one fire hydrant located on a deck of saidship; directing said ballast water from said at least one fire hydrantthrough a filter to thereby remove undesired particulate matter fromsaid ballast water; and allowing discharge of the filter ballast waterinto a pre-selected open water environment.
 16. The method according toclaim 15 including the further step of directing electromagneticradiation at said ballast water before allowing discharge of thefiltered ballast water into said pre-selected open water environment tothereby deactivate biological organisms contained within ballast water.17. The method according to claim 3 wherein said respective ship'sballast water is directed from said ballast tank through a ballast waterdischarge port of said respective ship and into said ballast watertreatment apparatus on board said service vessel.
 18. The methodaccording to claim 17 including the further step of connecting a supplyhose between said ballast water discharge port of said respective shipand an inlet port provided on said ballast water treatment apparatus onboard said service vessel.
 19. The method according to claim 18including the further step of providing a hoisting derrick system onboard said service vessel for positioning and maintaining said supplyhose in cooperative engagement with said respective ship.
 20. The methodaccording to claim 19 wherein said cooperative engagement of said supplyhose with said respective ship is achieved by providing a connector ringassembly employed to couple said supply hose to said ballast waterdischarge port of said respective ship.